Canadian National Building Code May Require More Net-Zero Homes

Homeowners will be incentivized to retrofit their homes so that they use less energy

November 10, 2016

Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor

The Canadian federal government is expected to introduce changes to the national building code that will require builders to include more net-zero homes in housing developments in the next 15 years. The government will also likely announce incentives for homeowners to retrofit their existing homes so that they use less energy. Net-zero homes include rooftop PVs to run a high efficiency electric furnace, according to a report by CBC. Construction also includes additional insulation, triple glazed windows and other features to improve the building's ability to retain heat. These measures increase the cost of an average house by 15%.